Stocking-darning last



H. T. CUSHMAN.

STOGKING DARNING LAST.

No. 416,214. Patented Dec. 3, 1889.

HENRY T- ELTE'HMN.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY T. CUSHMAN, OF NORTH BENNINGTON, VERMONT.

STOCKING-DARNING LST.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 416,214, dated December 3, 1889.. Application led November 21, 1887. Serial No. 255,704. (No model.)

To all whom t may con/cern.-

Be it known that I, HENRY T. CUSHMAN, of North Bennington, in the county of Bennington and State of Vermont, have invented certain Improvements in StockingDarners, of which the following' description, in connection with the accompanying single sheet of drawings, constitutes a specification.

This invention is a simple implement designed to be inserted inside of a stocking opposite the worn, torn, or damaged part, and to be held in one hand while the other is eno'- ployed in manipulating the darning-threads. lt is fully shown in the drawings, wherein- Figure 1 exhibits a longitudinal section through the implement, showing a chamber in the handle for the storage of needles. Fig. 2 shows the top surface of the darning-head. Fig. 3 displays thev top ot the darning-head with yarn stretched across, showing the manner of using the same. Fig. 4 shows a modi iication of the invention in longitudinal section, and exhibits an adjustable set of distending-pins. Figs. 5 and G are perspective views of the two adjustable parts which carry the pins.

My invent-ion consists otl a hollow handle A, having a scrcwthread cut in its top end, which is fitted to screw onto the threaded end of a stud B, as shown. Stud B is also threaded at its top end, and the head F is screwed thereon. Between head F and shoulder c of stud B the block or blocks which hold the distending-pins f/ g is or are fitted, as shown, respectively, in Figs. 1 and 4. The difference between the two devices shown in Figs. 1 and 4 consists in the fact that in Fig. l the pin-blook is solid, and adjustable or movable only in the directioinof the axis of stem B, being fitted to slide up and down said stem, lwhile in Fig. 4 the pin-holding devices are made in two overlapping halves J and K, which are laterally adjustable. Shoulder c prevents blocks F or J and K from slipping off stem B when the same is detached from the handle A.

One part of my invention. consists in setting the two rows of pins g g g g in any laterally-adjustable device or devices, so that they may be set and held to any definite degree of distension. The devices shown constitute one means only for that purpose; but

it is obvious that the same result may be achieved in various ways. Therefore I 'do not restrict myself to these specific means shown. The provisions shown in Fig. 4 consist of two wood or metal blocks J and K, tted to slide one upon another by being halved in thickness. Both are perforated with an elongated slot m m, through which stem B passes, while the under one J is also provided with two parallel elongated slots Z Z, for the passage of the guiding set-screws n n, which screw into the block K. The pins g are inserted in the outer thick end of each block, as shown, and the whole is so constructed that when the parts are assembled, as in Fig. 4, the two blocks J and K may slide one upon the other to the extent of the length of the slots m m Z Z. The blocks'rnay be separated by loosening the screws n fa, and when they have been set to the proper distance apart the screws are tightened up, whereby the two blocks are securely conned together.

' The head F consists of a rectangular block, ot' ,which the upper surface is of spherical or crowning shape, andhaving two of its opposite sides or ends slotted or indented, so as to make spaces for the admission of teeth g g, as seen in Figs. 2 and 3. The space between the under side of block F and shoulder c is such that when the pinblocks are dropped 4down so as to strike shoulder c the points of pins g g will fall below the upper surface of head F. This provision prevents the points of the. pins engaging with the body of the stocking when the implement is inserted in a stocking `for use.

This implement is used by inserting the saine within the stocking and bringing the head F fairly under the hole or breach to be repaired. After adjusting the damaged fabric properly the pin-blocks are pushed up against the under side of head F, the pins g g at the same time penetrating the fabric on opposite sides of the hole. Then thewarpyarn t is stretched alternately from pin to pin across over the rent until it fairly covers the same, as seen in Fig. This done, with the ordinary darning-needle and yarn the 0perator runs in the tillingthread, in the usual way, by catching into the cloth about the margin of the hole and then weaving the thread y over and under the previously-ar- IOO ranged warp-threads t t until the Work is completed.

During the operation of darning' the pinblocks are held up in position by the hand.

I olaiin as my inventionl. The Combination of a darning-head having` a crowning-surface and provided on two opposite sides with spaces for the reception of stretcher-pins and mounted, as shown, on

`a handle, with a pin-blook1itted to slide vertically on said handle and provided with two parallel rows of stretcher-pins which coincide with the spaces of the darning-head and eooperate therewith, substantially as described and set forth.

2. In a darning-last, lthe combination7 with a darning-head mounted upon a handle, of a vertieally-sliding,` pin-block mounted on the handle and Consisting,` of two laterallyadjust able rows of stretcher-pins, as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereto subscribed my name, at North Benning-tonferniont, this lSth day of November, 1887.

FRANKLIN SCOTT, S. A. SKINNER. 

